Beaver Creek Campground in Kentucky on map
Beaver Creek Campground
This small campground offers a relaxed atmosphere for tent campers.
When I am staying at a given campground, I often ask my fellow tent campers where else they camp. The name Beaver Creek kept cropping up, so I knew it had to be checked out. With high hopes, I rolled down the Cumberland Parkway to reach Glasgow, then aimed for Barren River Lake, one of my favorite Kentucky impoundments. Sure enough, my fellow tent campers were correct in their assessment. Out of the 12 campsites, the only non-tent camper was the campground host. Simply put, Beaver Creek is one of those small, out-of-the-way campgrounds to which tent campers gravitate. It is located at the point where the Skaggs
Creek and Beaver Creek arms of Barren River Lake meet. This fine piece of real estate is a great place at which to overnight. The campground itself is on a hill above the lake, affording good views of the water below. The lake at this juncture is entirely in a no-ski zone, making for a quiet, relaxed setting for those who want to be on a lake but aren't crazy about the continuous noise that armadas of motor-boats sometimes make.
Enter the campground, passing the campground host at campsite 1, there for your safely and convenience. A pair of vault toilets and the campground water spigot are here too. Sites 2-7 are located on a two-way road. Campers pull alongside these sites rather than using a traditional parking pad that leads into the site. All the sites are to the right of the road on the highest part of a ridgeline extending toward the lake. Site 2 is open to the sun, as is site 3. Site 4 has shade. Site 5 is well shaded by a beech tree but is a little on the small side. More big trees shade 6 and 7. The campsite road then begins to loop around. The loop portion holds sites 8-12; these are the most desirable, with good views of the lake below. The swim area is also easily visible below, as is a play area for kids. Many rock outcrops down by the lake make for good sunning spots. A short trail leads from the campground to a point on the lake where campers bank-fish.
A boat ramp is adjacent to the campground. A massive rock beside the ramp makes for another excellent bank-fishing spot. Plus, you can quiz the incoming fishermen at the ramp and change your baits to match their success.
The drawback of Beaver Creek is its size: it fills just about every nice weekend. Come here early on Friday if you want to get a weekend site. During the week, however, getting a site is no problem. Families and younger people gravitate to this campground, along with casual anglers, mostly outfitted in johnboats. The price is right, and the lack of electrical hookups keeps the big rigs out. The Skaggs Creek and Beaver Creek arms of the lake make for good fishing venues, and you don't have to worry about skiers splashing the shoreline as you fish. Mostly, you will see other small boats puttering around here.
Barren River Lake was a long time in coming. The plan for it was authorized in 1938 to reduce flooding in the greater Green River watershed, but construction wasn't started until i960; it was finished in 1964. Since then the lake has spared Scottsville and other downstream communities a lot of flood damage. What's more, it has enhanced recreation opportunities for people like us. And the area is anything but barren, for Barren River Lake has helped area fisheries and the protected shoreline shelters wildlife. Plus, with the help of the Army Corps of Engineers, some good tent camping now takes place on Barren River Lake. Just ask your fellow tent campers—you may hear them say "Beaver Creek."
Getting to Beaver Creek Campground
From Glasgow, take US 31 East south to Windy Road. Turn right on Windy Hill Road, and follow it 1.4 miles to KY 1342. Turn left on KY 1342 and follow it 2.2 miles to dead-end at the campground.
GPS COORDINATES N36° 55.652' W86° 1.859'
Key Information about Beaver Creek Campground
ADDRESS: 11088 Finney Rd., Glasgow, KY 42141
OPERATED BY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
CONTACT: 270-646-2055, www .lrl . usace. army . mil
OPEN: Late-April-mid-September
SITES: 12
SITE AMENITIES: Picnic table, fire grate, lantern post, garbage can
ASSIGNMENT: First come, first served; no reservations
REGISTRATION: Self-registration on-site
FACILITIES: Vault toilet, water spigot PARKING: At campsites only FEE: $12
ELEVATION: 575 feet
RESTRICTIONS in Beaver Creek Campground
¦ Pets: On leash only
¦ Fires: In fire rings only
¦ Alcohol: Prohibited
¦ Vehicles: No more than 2 per site
¦ Other: 14-day stay limit in a 30-day period
